Autonomous Inter-Row Platform for In-Season Fertilizer Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional agricultural methods face inefficiencies in fertilizer application, particularly with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, due to loss through gas emission, runoff, and microbial processes, leading to uneven nutrient distribution and increased costs. Additionally, existing autonomous vehicles are not designed to navigate uneven terrain or perform in-season management tasks like sampling and seeding cover crops effectively.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous vehicle platform capable of navigating between planted rows, equipped with a seeding structure, navigation module, and microprocessor, which allows for self-direction and obstacle detection, enabling selective sampling and seeding while alerting operators to issues that require intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional tractor-drawn equipment is used for fertilizer application, then fertilizer can be applied during early growth stages, but the equipment cannot be used throughout the entire growing season when crops reach heights of six feet or more

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication windowVSAvoidaccessibility to tall crops

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the fertilizer application task into segments: aerial vehicles handle in-season application to tall crops, while ground-based autonomous vehicles handle inter-row application. This segmentation allows each platform to operate in its optimal environment throughout the growing season.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from ground-based only application to multi-dimensional application by introducing aerial vehicles that can access tall crops from above, while ground-based autonomous vehicles operate between rows. This adds a vertical dimension to fertilizer application capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If high boy systems or crop dusters are used to apply fertilizer to tall crops, then accessibility is improved, but the fertilizer is applied indiscriminately to the surface of the field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to tall cropsVSAvoidapplication precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect crop height, soil conditions, and fertilizer needs, then adjusts application rates and locations in real-time. This feedback loop ensures precise fertilizer delivery only where needed, avoiding indiscriminate surface application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies fertilizer with locally adapted precision: aerial vehicles target specific crop zones based on detected needs, while ground-based autonomous vehicles apply fertilizer between rows based on real-time soil and crop condition assessment, ensuring each location receives appropriate fertilizer amounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If fertilizer is applied in advance or uniformly across the field, then application simplicity is maintained, but nutrient loss increases through gas emission, runoff, and microbial processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidfertilizer loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, pre-determined fertilizer application to dynamic, real-time application. Autonomous vehicles continuously monitor crop needs and soil conditions, adjusting fertilizer application rates and timing dynamically to match actual plant requirements, thereby reducing nutrient loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of soil and crop conditions using sensors before fertilizer application, allowing it to pre-identify areas needing fertilizer and apply it precisely to those locations, preventing waste through gas emission, runoff, and microbial processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If farmers over-apply fertilizer out of anxiety about insufficient nutrients, then crop growth security is improved, but fertilizer costs and environmental loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop growth securityVSAvoidfertilizer loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors crop health, soil nutrient levels, and growth conditions, providing real-time feedback that allows farmers to apply fertilizer precisely when and where needed. This eliminates the need for over-application while maintaining crop growth security through data-driven decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10890912B2Robotic platform and method for performing multiple functions in agricultural systems

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 ROWBOT SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

An autonomous vehicle platform and system for selectively performing an in-season management task in an agricultural field while self-navigating between rows of planted crops, the autonomous vehicle platform having a vehicle base with a width so dimensioned as to be insertable through the space between two rows of planted crops, the vehicle base having an in-season task management structure configured to perform various tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field.